Then Wasn't Our Argument for Nothing? / Cats Can't Stand to See This

In fact, although Amasawa Ichika had taken the opportunity of the hug to convey a message to him, Xue could still easily identify that these were his clothes from the size and smell due to such close physical contact.

Whether it's because someone is used to the smell of shampoo and shower gel, or because they've been influenced by a certain brand of cosmetics, or some complex psychological effect and muscle memory, everyone's scent is indeed different. And Xue happens to be the girl who knows every inch of his scent intimately.

"Hmm--I did get noticed after all. But then again, it's too obvious. I guess the size is a bit too big for me after all?"

After Xue noticed the problem with her clothes, Amasawa Ichika didn't panic at all. Instead, she boldly pulled out the Sumio, which was originally hidden in her waist and skirt, and let it hang down to the top of her thighs, looking somewhat out of place.

"But ultimately, a boyfriend shirt is just that kind of thing, right? How do you feel about it? If I weren't wearing this skirt right now, would I suddenly feel something?"

She casually unfolded the sleeves she had just rolled up to their original length, and with her hands tucked into the sleeves that were Amasawa Ichika a size too big, she gently waved at Kitagawa Ryo, her sleeves hanging loosely because they were a bit too long, and a mischievous smile appeared on her lips.

Although theoretically there was still room to maneuver around the topic of clothing, Amasawa Ichika had no intention of doing so. Rather than dragging things out to the more awkward situation that Sakayanagi Arisu mentioned, it was better to just reveal everything from the start, especially since she had wanted to do it for a long time.

Of course, Amasawa Ichika always seems to thrive on chaos, also dragged Sakayanagi Arisu into the mix:

"Speaking of which, finding Ryo today was really tough. If it weren't for Arisu being able to keep tracking Ryo's location on her phone, I don't know how long it would have taken. Ryo, could you also link our locations to each other on that app and form a couple relationship? After all, no matter how you define us..."

"They're definitely in the throes of a passionate romance, aren't they?"

As it turns out, the White Room does not teach courses related to love. After all, even the Masterpiece there Ayanokoji Kiyotaka Kitagawa Ryo's encyclopedia of love every day, and Yuki is no exception.

After all, both she and Sakayanagi Arisu very classy and have a strong sense of martial ethics. Although Amasawa Ichika often teases them, they just don't want to reveal any behavior that might affect their image in front of Kitagawa Ryo.

But I never expected that someone could actually be so utterly lacking in martial ethics!

In Xue's imagination, Amasawa Ichika was nothing more than secretly accumulating some everyday memories with Kitagawa Ryo when she was not in ANHS. At most, it was just things like patting someone's head, braiding their hair, and kissing their cheeks. Anyway, she had already seen many such interactions between Kitagawa Ryo and the Fifth Generation in the White Room.

"... Do you find this interesting?"

Xue could clearly hear her own voice drop eight octaves, but her tone became increasingly intense, almost to the point of questioning.

"No, it's just that this way we have a chance."

As if she had already thought of the answer, Amasawa Ichika replied with astonishing speed. She pulled her hood up a little higher, revealing her eyes, and looked directly at Xue as she spoke:

"I don't believe that Sister Xue has never been able to see what kind of feelings I have for Liang. It's just that you've always tacitly chosen not to tell me."

Theoretically speaking, her relationship with Yuki was actually created by the White Room. Just as Yuki was designated to develop romantic feelings for Kitagawa Ryo, the White Room intentionally strengthened the Fifth Generation's dependence on Kitagawa Ryo to the point of pathology.

But if we really want to pinpoint the differences, it probably lies in the very beginning.

Snow was an important part of the Rhesus Monkey Experiment Plan, and was selected as the subject after the experiment was proposed. However, the existence of Kitagawa Ryo and his positive influence on the entire Fifth Generation were the background and foundation for the program to be formulated and implemented.

In other words, for Amasawa Ichika, from the very beginning, from the moment she gained self-awareness, what she felt in Kitagawa Ryo was the purest kindness, care, and warmth that had not been interfered with, manipulated, or amplified by any adults.

This is different from the way Kitagawa Ryo and Yuki's first encounter and their cohabitation were manipulated and planned. It is precisely because of this that, from beginning to end, Amasawa Ichika never experienced the same confusion in matters of the heart as Yuki.

Xue did not answer Amasawa Ichika's question directly. Of course, she had thought about it, but she always deceived herself and put it aside for the time being, because Amasawa Ichika really did not do anything out of line. Moreover, at that time, all her attention was focused on Sakayanagi Arisu.

Thinking of this, Yuki gritted her teeth, feeling a bit exasperated, and looked in Sakayanagi Arisu's direction. It was one thing for her not to be at Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School when Amasawa Ichika broke into her house, but wasn't this genius, beautiful, and intelligent girl supposed to be here all along?

"Don't look at me like that, this is your White Room Faction's own business."

Having already been singled out by Amasawa Ichika, Sakayanagi Arisu was still wondering if Kitagawa Ryo would establish a romantic relationship with him on a mobile app, allowing them to locate each other. This was one of the few exclusive memories she possessed, so she rolled her eyes back without hesitation.

"Then you can just keep hanging around here. The Cultural Festival ends in less than three hours. If you come back in next April, it'll be a long time before it's over. Who knows what will happen then?"

She's been consistently training since the summer vacation until today. What do you think she's been working on for?

Moreover, Sakayanagi Arisu herself was extremely frustrated. None of the other three had experienced the same situation as her (she was unaware of Shiina Hiyori's situation at this time), so why was she inexplicably forced to share memories with the other two girls?

Theoretically speaking, shouldn't one of you be continuing to lie in the hospital and receive treatment, while the other continues to obediently serve as a pawn in the White Room?

The last time Sakayanagi Arisu felt this bad was when Kitagawa Ryo passed away from illness during the first simulation.

The victim that time was an innocent kitten that was forced to change its name.

"Just keep drowning in your past memories. You've always wished you could go back to the White Room era, haven't you? The White Room hasn't disbanded yet, you know. If you want to, just tell Ayanokoji Atsuomi. I just don't know if they'd still be willing to take you back, someone who was rejected a few years ago."

Faced with Sakayanagi Arisu's all-out attack, before Yuki, who had gradually calmed down, could even speak, Amasawa Ichika, who had also been hit by the area-of-effect attack, had already responded:

"Isn't Arisu himself like that? Even if Yuki and I do have a slight desire to go back to the White Room era, don't you have similar thoughts? Do you think I don't know how many times you've watched 'Genius Duel' and 'Daily Life of Geniuses' over the past ten years? It's just a pity that they only exist in our memories now, and we can't replicate them even if we wanted to. By the way, that Marriage Contract is the same, isn't it? Is it meaningful to pretend and deceive yourself by wearing a sports ring on your left middle finger?"

As soon as Amasawa Ichika said those words, the effect was immediate. Sakayanagi Arisu sore spot had been hit, took several deep breaths before finally recovering a little.

While the two were still exchanging barbs and revealing each other's secrets, Xue, who was still preoccupied with the matter between Amasawa Ichika and Kitagawa Ryo, gritted her teeth and pulled Kitagawa Ryo towards the entrance of the Gymnasium.

"What's so great about it... We'll go to the dorm too. If she can get out from there, we can definitely find a way in."

Kitagawa Ryo, who had been struggling to find a good moment to interject, was just about to take the opportunity to soothe Yuki's emotions when she was pulled to the entrance of the Gymnasium. There, she caught sight of two familiar figures, Karuizawa Kei and Shiina Hiyori, who seemed to be figuring out how to get in. They had somehow ended up together again.

Standing atop a tall tree, Ying witnessed the scene and, quite humanely, covered her pupils with her forepaws.

Ugh, I can't bear to look.

Chapter 347: So we argued for nothing?

Rewinding the clock a dozen minutes, while the trio in the Gymnasium were on the verge of a fight, Karuizawa Kei, located at another location in Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School, ultimately chose to confront Shiina Hiyori directly.

But the courage and determination she had finally mustered could only help her take one step from her side to Shiina Hiyori's side. Karuizawa Kei quickly got stuck on the first sentence. Whether it was a normal greeting of "Hello," an apologetic "Sorry," or the more complex "Congratulations," none of them seemed to accurately express her current chaotic state of mind. So in the end, she just stood there and called out the other person's name:

"Hiyori."

Upon hearing Karuizawa Kei's familiar voice, Shiina Hiyori immediately turned her gaze towards it as well. However, as if suddenly remembering something, she gripped the ring she had been examining closely in the sunlight back into her hand and then, like a thief, hid it behind her back.

"Huh? What's Hui doing here?"

Although Shiina Hiyori's original intention might have been to temporarily hide the culprit that made the atmosphere between the two so awkward, so that neither of them would see it and be bothered, in Karuizawa Kei's eyes, who was already in a state of confusion at this moment, it seemed more like she was subconsciously guarding against her.

"Because there are some things I want to tell Hiyori."

Despite it being an unexpected and sudden encounter, Karuizawa Kei still subconsciously uttered those words, as if to make her appear more composed and resolute, still as capable as before in every aspect, as if even the events that happened to Shiina Hiyori were within her expectations.

"Well, actually, even if Hui hadn't come to find me, I would have gone to see her after the Cultural Festival, because I also have a lot of things I want to ask her."

Unlike the word "say" she used, the word Shiina Hiyori used was "ask," which made Karuizawa Kei's heart tremble slightly for a moment. Perhaps because of her guilty conscience, she couldn't tell whether this "ask" was a simple inquiry or a more extreme interrogation or even questioning.

"As expected, Hui recognizes or remembers this, doesn't she?"

After hesitating for a moment, Shiina Hiyori once again extended the hand that had been hidden behind her back, and a delicate little ring lay quietly in her palm.

"Yes, I remember, just like you Hiyori."

When asked about Shiina Hiyori's question, Karuizawa Kei simply nodded in agreement.

Even at this point, Karuizawa Kei could tell one last lie: deny that she retained the memories of her rebirth during the simulation. This secret was known only to her, Sakayanagi Arisu, Horikita Suzune, and Ichinose Honami from the beginning. Even though Shiina Hiyori gradually recalled her past experiences, as long as Karuizawa Kei pretended to be completely unaware, her identity could be smoothly transferred to Shiina Hiyori's current position.

Because of her guilt, Shiina Hiyori suddenly transforms into someone who feels she stole her current best friend's boyfriend in the past. Given Karuizawa Kei's superb acting skills honed over the years, this isn't actually that difficult, as it's a supernatural phenomenon that no one would believe unless it happened to them.

But for Karuizawa Kei to cover it up," she truly didn't want to keep hiding it any longer.

"I actually remember everything Hiyori remembered, I've always remembered it. It's just that in the past, only I remembered it, while Hiyori didn't, which is why I've never told you. After all, even if I did tell you, Hiyori wouldn't believe me, right?"

It seemed as if she had already prepared this speech in her mind; Karuizawa Kei herself was somewhat surprised that she could deliver it so fluently.

"No, it's because Hui never told me this. Since it's something she never even mentioned, why insist that I won't believe it?"

Shiina Hiyori simply shook her head, directly pointing out the flaw in Karuizawa Kei's words.

"If Hui really wants to tell me, she only needs to verify that she is someone who was reborn with these memories by making a few accurate predictions of objective events that will happen in the future."

"What if I told you I wasn't even sure if this was the original world? If it really was just what you call rebirth, then Ryo should have been my childhood friend who lived near my house, not some theatrical Actor, and I'd been searching for her all my elementary school years."

Unlike Shiina Hiyori Karuizawa Kei unusually experienced intense emotional fluctuations.

"And would anyone really be so straightforward as to tell others that they come from the future or from a parallel universe?"

"Hui must have told Liang, and immediately at that."

"Because he's Liang, even if we don't count this lifetime, we've known each other for at least two lifetimes."

"Sure enough, wouldn't it have been better to say that from the beginning? Ultimately, it's because Hui and I had a bad relationship before we got to know each other again a few years ago, right?"

Shiina Hiyori isn't actually a girl who likes to poke at people's sore spots or make sarcastic remarks, but she is also very clear in her heart that if she wants her relationship with Karuizawa Kei to continue, then some deep-seated things that she has been unconsciously suppressing in her heart must be brought to light at this time.

Like a master detective who has found a loophole in a suspect's alibi, Shiina Hiyori and persistent questioning:

"When the three of us first met at the theater a few years ago, Hui saw that I had also become a trainee in the theater Theater Troupe. Was she already wondering if I, like you, retained these memories? That's why she kept trying to outdo me during our first practice session. Only after testing me and confirming that I really didn't remember anything and was just an elementary school student interested in theater did she feel relieved and willing to be my friend?"

"... You're right, okay? Does that make you happy now?"

It must be said that Shiina Hiyori's remarks were quite devastating to Karuizawa Kei. Her eyes welled up with tears, and her fingertips trembled slightly as she replied as if she had given up on herself.

"Just like you said, I was just happy back then. I started to be secretly happy when you were a lucky audience member who couldn't remember Liang's name on stage. I was also happy when you went abroad to study, just like before. Especially during those years when I would ask you every time if you had seen Liang and me perform, I was incredibly happy..."

At this point, Karuizawa Kei's words and tone were already on the verge of breaking down, and her vision was gradually blurring. She pursed her lips, her eyes red-rimmed, staring at the ring in Shiina Hiyori's palm:

"After each time, I think, this way, it's still better than... catching up Hiyori half of the happiness you had back then, and it's worth half of the regret I had back then, right?"

In fact, the heavy side of Karuizawa Kei's feelings far exceeded Shiina Hiyori's imagination. Even though she had recalled the simulation incident, from Shiina Hiyori's perspective, it was just a parallel world story where Kitagawa Ryo was assigned to Class 1-C and naturally met, got to know, and fell in love with her.

Because she really wasn't familiar with Karuizawa Kei at that time; in fact, their only interaction was during the three-legged race where they were rivals at the Sports Festival, and their brief conversation after Kitagawa Ryo dropped out of school and disappeared.

Shiina Hiyori initially intended for Karuizawa Kei to vent a few words to her, her former love rival, and then simply let the matter drop. However, she never expected that the extent to which Karuizawa Kei broke down would exceed her expectations and capabilities. As Karuizawa Kei displayed a tearful and sorrowful expression, as if she were stuck in some kind of dead end, it was Shiina Hiyori who became flustered.

"Um... did I go too far?"

Shiina Hiyori swore that she didn't really care much about these parallel world things. After all, her thoughts had already been set when Karuizawa Kei took the initiative to approach her and she was sitting here alone, reading a novel and basking in the sun. Anyway, no matter how the earth turns or how the world changes, she was still with Kitagawa Ryo, wasn't she? It just added a touch of sci-fi romance to their relationship as a new embellishment.

Moreover, on the night Kitagawa Ryo confessed to her in the simulation, Shiina Hiyori's attention was already entirely focused on him and the drone show in the night sky. At that time, there were huge crowds of students watching below, and she really didn't know that she had inadvertently cast a lingering shadow on Karuizawa Kei that she still feels today.

"No, it's all my own problem, it has nothing to do with Hiyori."

For Karuizawa Kei, the last time she shed tears in a particularly vivid memory after her rebirth was during middle school when Kitagawa Ryo suddenly went missing. At that time, she was also reminded of the gloom she encountered at the end of the simulation, and perhaps even today, it has never truly disappeared from her heart.

Of course she knew that Shiina Hiyori hadn't made a single mistake, and that even the questions she had just been asking were simply meant to help her truly understand and confront the original, genuine relationship and feelings between the two of them.

The only thing that made Karuizawa Kei feel fortunate was that Kitagawa Ryo wasn't nearby. She had already resolved to be someone who would stay by his side and act as his protector for the rest of her life, so she never shed a single tear of weakness in front of him after her rebirth, not even once.

It has to be said that people really need a friend in this world with whom they can confide their tears. Just a moment ago, they were saying things like they only became friends with her after confirming that she didn't remember anything, but at this moment, Karuizawa Kei's body honestly leaned on Shiina Hiyori's shoulder.

She wasn't actually as happy as she claimed; rather, she was mostly filled with fear and worry. Shiina Hiyori was always the unchanging figure in a changing world, always managing to appear before Kitagawa Ryo at the right time and place to get to know him. He would go to London to study twice, both in simulations and in reality, right around the time they graduated from elementary school. But when had any of these experiences truly prevented them from building beautiful memories together, day after day, across the ocean?

But Karuizawa Kei had to adapt to Kitagawa Ryo's changes and change along with him, even though she had never had any knowledge of drama in her previous two lives combined.

"Why don't we go find some cool food?"

Karuizawa Kei Shiina Hiyori, who was crying uncontrollably with her face buried in Karuizawa's shoulder, finally remembered Kitagawa Ryo's presence. However, as soon as she uttered the suggestion, Karuizawa Kei lifted her face from her shoulder again, refusing with a heavy nasal tone:

"Don't want."

As if afraid that Kitagawa Ryo might suddenly appear in front of them from some hidden corner, Karuizawa Kei hurriedly pulled out a tissue from her pocket and hastily wiped away the tears on her face. She then tidied her hair, which had become a little messy from her earlier actions, before sitting down on the ground with her knees drawn up to her chest. Her emotions seemed to have calmed down, but her voice was still somewhat muffled:

"He's dating other girls, and he told me."

"Oh, now that you mention it, I remember. I ran into her this morning when I gave Ryo the ring. I think her name was Yuki, and she seemed to be quite familiar with Amasawa and Classmate Sakayanagi."

"I don't want to hear about the ring."

"Hmm... Hui can also give it to you. Given your current relationship, you've already done that kind of thing, haven't you? On the first day of your summer vacation on the cruise ship, you even made a point of sending me away. That makes you even more guilty--"

"Indeed, he confessed."

Karuizawa Kei answered with a hint of self-deprecation, but suddenly the Matoba her meeting with Shiina Hiyori during the Uninhabited Island Special Exam, where they Acupressure Mat Race, came to mind again. The thoughts from that time reappeared vividly in her memory, only with a different prefix as time had passed.

Yes, even if Shiina Hiyori truly regained her past memories, what stance could she take? Would she engage in a hair-pulling, slapping, and insulting exchange with Hiyori, like in the dramas? Or would she kill Ryo with a yandere mentality of "If I can't have him, neither can you"?

After all, even after Kitagawa Ryo told her in the past, "I am dating Shiina Hiyori," she had never done anything like this.

The Shiina Hiyori.

The two good friends sat quietly under the shade of the tree for a while longer.

"Go find some cool food."

Karuizawa Kei suddenly stood up and said this.

"Huh? Didn't Hui just say not to bother Ryo?"

Shiina Hiyori rather innocent surprise.

"If we don't talk to him, then all this arguing has been for nothing."

Chapter 348: Cats Can't Stand These Things

Thanks to Kitagawa Ryo's reputation at Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School, Karuizawa Kei and Shiina Hiyori easily obtained information about where the other students were at the Gymnasium by simply asking around in Class 1-B and Class C.

But when the two actually arrived at the Gymnasium, they found themselves in the same predicament as Sakayanagi Arisu and Amasawa Ichika. However, since neither of them were members of the Student Council, and they couldn't find another silly guest who could be easily bribed with a dessert, they could only awkwardly stay at the Gymnasium entrance, waiting patiently for Kitagawa Ryo out.

It has to be said that the timing of their arrival was perfect. Not long after, they bumped into Yuki and Kitagawa Ryo, who were being provoked by Amasawa Ichika and Sakayanagi Arisu and were dragging someone to the dormitory area to "take care of him on the spot."

From any perspective, Yuki's temper was running high, so when she bumped into Shiina Hiyori, with whom she had already clashed that morning, she didn't even bother to greet her. She coldly led Kitagawa Ryo forward, trying to bypass her and Karuizawa Kei.

This was a turn of events that neither Karuizawa Kei nor Shiina Hiyori had anticipated. After all, the belated news they heard from their classmates was that the two were happily and lovingly traveling from one place to another, looking like an enviable young couple. But now it seemed as if they had just had a fight and were sulking about something.